Savannah City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney is asking City Council to consider using most of the

$19 million in SPLOST funds set aside for a new arena for extensive renovations of the Civic Center.

“This facility is well beyond its life expectancy,” she said.

She explained it was inefficient to operate, and because of its obvious age, increasingly was losing bookings to newer venues. She added that without a significant investment, the arena “most likely won’t last beyond five years.”

Renovations were projected at $16.2 million. The proposal was put before council members near the end of the first day of a two-day financial overview workshop, and clearly surprised most council members.

Neither Mayor Edna Jackson nor others were quick to embrace the concept, and some rejected it outright.

“This place needs to be renovated, I thoroughly agree with that,” Jackson said. “But if we’re going to use SPLOST dollars we’re going to have to go to the public first...Right now, my gut is telling me we need to find some other way of doing it.”

Alderwomen Estella Shabazz and Mary Ellen Sprague cited the promise the city made to voters in 2006 to build a new arena.

“We simply cannot go back to the public again to say we’re taking that money,” Sprague said. “I cannot go to the public and ask for a SPLOST 6 having gutted almost the entire amount for an arena. I simply cannot.”

The proposal comes at a politically sensitive time. Voters in Chatham County in July rejected a proposal to add a 1-cent sales tax to fund regional transportation projects, and voters in about a year will be asked to approve a sixth round of the special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, to pay for major building projects. SPLOST also adds a penny per dollar sales tax.

SPLOST 5 was supposed to generate $70 million toward a new arena.

Council in 2010 shifted $48 million away from the arena to fund more pressing repairs, such as drainage improvements, and explained part of the reason they did so was because collections were coming in $38 million less than expected. The city had hoped to generate a total of $160 million, but estimates it now will get about $122 million.

Even if collections had come in as planned, SPLOST 5 was never expected to entirely pay for a new arena, city officials say. Former City Manager Michael Brown told council the SPLOST funds would be “seed money” for a new arena, Alderman Tony Thomas said.

Small-Toney estimates a new arena would cost $150 million.

Council members who were in office two years ago defended the decision to shift funds, but first-term Aldermen Tom Bordeaux, Estella Shabazz and Carol Bell have questioned moving those dollars.

“We don’t need to bother the $21 million that’s slotted for the arena,” Shabazz said. “The next time we need to look at that is to put money in.”

Bordeaux was equally dismissive.

“I think it’s bait and switch,” he said. “... I think what’s being suggested is the quickest way for the public to lose trust in us that I can think of.”

Small-Toney encouraged council to consider all the options. Council members are aware of the “anti-tax” sentiment, and are eager to finish projects and show the voting public the city is wisely spending tax money.

Even if voters approve a SPLOST 6, the city manager explained, it would be five to 10 years before enough sales tax could be collected to begin an arena construction project. Fixing the Civic Center improves an aging, well-used and centrally located building, the city manager said, and can serve to show good use of funds.

“We believe you can go forward in the community by saying you have used the funds responsibly,” Small-Toney said.

Coordinating the Civic Center repairs with construction of the new Cultural Arts Center also helps create a “cultural arts corridor,” Small-Toney said, that would further invigorate the west side of downtown.

Alderman John Hall, also a first-term council member, thought the idea deserved serious consideration.

Even by the mayor’s assessment, the Civic Center, built in 1972, is “raggedy.” Its carpets, wallpaper and restrooms are worn and outdated, and behind the aesthetic issues, its mechanical, electrical and lighting systems need updating. It plays host to more than half a million visitors a year who come for concerts, graduations and various festivals.

Reacting to the mayor’s description, Joe Shearouse, director of Public Facilities, Events and Services, likened the building to a lady who needed a good makeover.

“We’re going to fix her hair and get her some new clothes and everything will look a lot better,” he said.

He surprised council members again by saying $16.2 million wouldn’t pay for all the renovations really needed. He is expected to provide a more detailed estimate today to council.

With discussion open on public facility planning, Mayor Pro Tem Van Johnson asked council members to discuss a more radical idea. He asked council to think about moving the Cultural Arts Center from its planned location at Oglethorpe Avenue near Montgomery Street to the location of the vacant Food Lion on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

That location is across the street from the first site council considered for the arts center, Johnson said, has abundant parking and is closer to the community youth that the center will engage. It also could provide significant cost savings, which could be added to the arena fund, he said.

Few council members seemed willing to discuss the idea.

The discussion did help council realize a more aggressive plan is needed for Civic Center improvements.

Sprague suggested the city could dip into general fund reserves to pay part of the costs, and Small-Toney advised that if the city floated bonds to finance the $16.2 million, it would cost about $1.3 million a year over 20 years.

WHAT’S NEXT

City Council resumes its financial workshop at 8:30 a.m. today at the Civic Center.

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How stupid does RST think the Mayor and Council are? If they approve this ignorant suggestion she has, the are all as stupid as she is and stupid as she thinks they are.

There is no way in hell our money should be spent to the tune of what RST is suggesting to renovate the existing Civic Center

I recently spent about $1,200 for myself and some family members to go to the Elton John concert, I didn't notice a problem with the Civic Center and I never once heard anyone say anything negative about the restrooms. I even went to the restroom myself. It was clean. There were provisions to wash and dry your hands. What more could you ask for a restroom?

"Five years" based on what analysis? Or market research? Or whomever else was paid hundreds of thousands for their outside opinion? Why spend a penny on the civic center when the streets surrounding it are turning into battlefields?!

I have to wonder...does RST have a contractor friend as equally adept as her other friends sucking at Savannah's bosom.
Dump her, she's the one in a sinking boat that dumping water in while all others are bailing it out.

Great idea RST...we could just float bonds and it will only cost us 1.3million a year for 20 years. Assuming you could find someone to buy these bonds we would be adding $10mm to the cost of the building renovations. I have an idea. Keep the momney set aside, start directing funds that should have come from annual operations to repair drainage, etc. and rebuild the new arena funds that should have been there. It may take a long time, but it would be a start that is the only hope you have of getting SPLOST approved next time around. No one in the city has any credibility when it comes to spending tax dollars.

"Council in 2010 shifted $48 million away from the arena to fund more pressing repairs, such as drainage improvements, and explained part of the reason they did so was because collections were coming in $38 million less than expected. The city had hoped to generate a total of $160 million, but estimates it now will get about $122 million."

So, the OLD Council switched to take care of "more pressing repairs". Now we have things happen, we did not, maybe could not, have expected would happen. That's life. And, remember, if we don't take care of the necessary repairs, the next Council will have to deal with them.

I look at her use of the city's charge card which is our money, and know I'm not gullible enough for her use of it. She has proven herself as a CM with the Johnson hiring, her office, trips and dues, and the list goes on. Toney is the WORST CM this city has ever seen. I don't trust her with $0.50, much less a city charge card. It would thrill me if it was revoked until she is fired.

"I think what’s being suggested is the quickest way for the public to lose trust in us that I can think of.” -Bordeaux. WRONG, MORON!!! Keeping that bumbling clown of a CM employed was the quickest way for the public to lose trust in you. This shows how oblivious and out-of-touch the council is towards the public's needs and wants. They work and live in a bubble. We are in deep s.................................................

The old facility needs to come down. It is outdated.
Personally, I detest those large arenas with seats jammed together that are placed on such an incline one gets vertigo. Who says we have to compete with the Phillips in Atlanta? We should come up with something so Savannah, that artists would actually enjoy performing in it. Obviously, a theater for Broadway shows and formal concerts is needed. So, too, is an arena. But it doesn't have to be huge. I still think that a development with an amphitheater shell and some stores, restaurants, and maybe even a family entertainment center with a movie theater and something like a Dave and Busters would be nice. Maybe Liberty or Bryan County will figure it out and get the jump on Chatham. Think about the revenue such a venue would bring! *******************************************************I see you voted this post down. What part don't you like? The Civic Center is old and outdated. But don't get me wrong. The last people I want managing anything to do with money are those like RST. So if you don't want a nice concert venue here in Chatham, that's your prerogative, but I know a lot of people in a lot of age groups who are tired of having to go to Charleston, Jacksonville, Orlando, or Atlanta to see a good show.

Madam Mayor, your "gut" is telling you right. I'm all "SPLOSTED" out. I am probably not alone. If monies were already obtained from the citizens to build a new civic center or whatever this facility would be called. Then you all as elected officials have to do it. Keep the present civic center for hosting town hall meetings, early voting and presentations by Leisure Services.

Maybe the Harlem Globetrotters and the Gun Show entrepreneurs can still use it. I would seek historic landmark status for this building. Two Savannah natives, Johnny Mercer and Hal Kantor participated in the festivities when it first opened, Freda Payne and George Kirby were also on the program. Go to the archives of SMN circa 1972. Many artists performed under its roofs: The Jackson Five, Al Green, The Carpenters, The O'Jays, Elton John, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergast. Eventually they all found their way to Savannah. Facility beyond its life expectancy? Perhaps but it has historic significance. So you preservationists, get busy! Don't wait for outsiders to validate what is right in front of you.

Meanwhile who is working on the blueprints for a new facility? How about getting some feedback from the local residents who will be sitting in our new facility watching some shows and programs? Now is the time for Savannah to prove that it can think outside the box.

Mr. Bordeaux, I'm afraid it's too late, citizens don't trust City Council. Perhaps the Council can regain support by finding a competent replacement for Mrs. Toney. She continues to be an embarrassment to Savannah.

Listen people. I'm talking to the leadership of Savannah and Chatham County. Stop thinking small . I will say it again! Stop thinking small! I have an idea for Savannah. First, with this arena. Build a new arena so, Savannah can get concerts and even market Savannah for a professional basketball team! Georgia needs another professional sports team instead of just Atlanta having professional sports teams! Look at Orlando. They built an arena and got the Orlando Magic. That gave Orlando more exposure and revenue instead of just have Diseny World! Give Savannah more exposure instead of just having a port and tourism! It can be much more! Savannah in between South Carolina and North Florida . That is a key market for having a professional Basketball and even a professional baseball team. It's also marketable for the rest of the Coastal empire and southeast Georgia along with South Carolina and North Florida. That will bring more people into Savannah, give it more exposure nationallly and internationally, and more importantally give bring more revenue into the city. An arena of abouth 15,000 - 20,000 seats is ideal nothing less! Revenue from the sports teams can be used to improve schools, used for improving infrastructure! Now, about baseball . A baseball studium of about 30,000 - 45,000 seats is needed . Before, market for a major league baseball team. Look, look at the city of Green Bay, Wis., Savannah is larger than Green Bay and they have a professional football team. People need to stay and help Savannah really grow instead of everybody running to Atlanta and Jacksonville to enjoy themselves and even to live! Money should not be a problem because Savannah is one of the largest ports in the U.S.A. and there's alot of wealthy people in the Savannah area. It's about marketing Savannah and stop thinking small! This is 2012 and not the 1980's. Now, Savannah also should start marketing itself not to just port related jobs but, to financial, medical, manufacturing, and high related jobs. Try to bring more of those jobs in and that will keep the young people in and around Savannah after the finish college instead of leaving for Atlanta , Jacksonville , or whereever to seek employment! Next, Savannah's airport could be used to help take pressure off of Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport. That mean more planes landing and taking off from Savannah using it as a lay over stop and even allowing people to visit the city! That's more revenue and exposure! Make Savannah a true upcoming city and new international city ! Now, let me briefly go back to the arena and baseball stadium idea. I would build the arena first because it's long overdue. It's THirty something years old! That's sad! Don't use new money on something that's outdated! You need something that's new and embrasing! After the new arena is built about 1 - 2 years build a new baseball stadium. Now, location is important. Put both sports complexes downtown. That will keep the revenue in the heart of the city and that means new hotels will have to be built and that also mean large numbers of coming into Savannah year round because of the basketball and basebase seasons! Please ! Please ! Please ! Take these ideas into consideration! And let Savannah truelly grow ! If, you continue to think small ! The people of Savannah and Chatham County should vote everyone of you out of office and replace you with people that want true change for Savannah and it's surrounding areas(Bryan, Effingham,Bulloch, Liberty counties , and the low country of South Carolina). It don't take a rocket science to start making a change. The idea of Savannah is is it just caters to retired people and tourism. How can Savannah grow like that ! What about the young people! Also, Savannah colleges should also expand. SCAD, Armstrong State , Savannah State , Georgia Southern , and other educational institutes will be able to grow from these ideas because with more people and revenue coming into the area they will automatically grow! People Just don't let Atlanta get all the exposure! Let Savannah join the big league too! I hope alot of people read this e-mail and tell me what you think and please let the elected officials of Savannah know what you all think of this and demand for new change for Savannah and the surrounding area! My e-mail address is Melvinpierce14@yahoo.com.
I hope to hear from you all! Elected officials please , please give this a look and aggressivelly make an effort of making this a reality instead of just setting back and talking. Look what other cities around the country is doing ! I hope to hear from anyone! Thanks for the time and consideration!

Savannah is not a large enough market to support any professional sport, and you're dead wrong about Green Bay: their metro population is greater than 300,000; ours is around 132,000. Atlanta has a population of more than 5 MILLION, and that's why ALL OF THE PRO TEAMS are based there. But, hey, with logic and facts like yours, you'd fit in perfectly with the present city council...

Cities like Atlanta, or other 'newer' and more 'progressive' cities, don't have what Savannah has, so they must create other options to make their cities attractive and successful. What we have, or what 'had', is priceless. We who know better are aware that we are at risk for losing one of the most unique areas in this country.

Do you know how long it takes to just build a bridge from one end of Savannah to the other? Savannah has to get a hold of the thug problems, and traffic issues here, before it can expand properly.
BTW have you thought maybe some people still want Savannah to be a sleepy little town?

For the person that states Savannah is not large enough for a professional team or teams. Do your research the inner city of Savannah has a population of over 130,000 but Metro Savannah as a whole has a population of about 400,000 or more because metro Savannah includes Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, and parts of South Carolina. Now, the Savannah region will include all of that area plus Liberty, Long, and Bulloch counties. Now add all of that and you're talking about nearly 600,000 people. If , Savannah had a professional sport team or teams the market area will include all of southeast Georgia, South Carolina, and Northern Florida(Jacksonville). That's a sizeable market. Now, the Green Bay, Wis. area is not that large.

liked your ideas until you stated put both structures downtown. Uh, in case you haven't noticed, we have a little problem with people shooting each other downtown. The public housing idiots and other wannabe thugs are running wild. You want me to put my family at risk by taking in a show or ballgame downtown? Are you kidding me??

at the I-16, I-95 interchange area... add a 2 mile tri oval too :)
You can't put anything in the middle of Savannah and succeed. Too crowded, no parking, and too much thug crime. You got to have ways for people to come and go so.....out I-16

Hutcheson Island would have been an excellent location if there had been easy interstate access.. Key word, easy interstate access.

The ideas are good but not logical. Just becuase the area has the population does not guarantee support. The City of Jacksoville has over 800,000 people and the metro area over 1 million. They only sell out the football stadium during the Georgia/Florida Game. The comparison to Green Bay from your point of view has some validity, however understand the team was founded in 1919. Savannah is a very well known city which attracts visitors all over the world becuase it is Savannah. The philosophy of build it and they will come does not work in 2012. The Jacksonville Jaguars exisit because the NFL thought that if it worked in Indy and Green Bay it has to work in other small market cities... WRONG! The Jaguars franchise is not solid... The Colts and Packers have been around forever. If we are going to invest... Invest in projects that sustain and preserve Savannah. Keep the books balanced. No owner of any franchise would consider investing in a market like Savannah. The area is too close to Atlanta and Jacksonville. You just can't compare Orlando and Tampa.. Those areas are densly populated and can support those franchises.

We're pulling the discussion out of the comment boards and into the public, and forming a plan to lobby our city - as taxpayers - to bring about the RIGHT kind of change! Join us, please. We need the voices from all!